DIY maven Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault’s parents—who repurposed and upcycled many projects from the “curbside boutique” long before it became a trendy pastime—influenced her own design philosophy that great design has little to do with how much one spends, but relies on how creative you can be with your budget.

“I really grew up with an appreciation that one man’s trash truly is someone else’s treasure. I look at things through a different lens—I often call them my glasses of potential. You really have to look at the bones of a piece and see that it can become something else,” says Allaire Perrault, a Cityline guest expert.

Potential projects are everywhere, she adds: “Instead of hitting the store, shop your home and really think about repurposing items.”

For example, a bedroom dresser in a rarely used guest bedroom could be transformed into a storage unit for the front hall.

“Transform it to make it fit a new space and tie into existing décor or make it a showstopper in its own right,” she says. “I love using mediums like milk paint, or chalked paint, that can really give you the look of an old-world or vintage piece. You can even take some affordable big box pieces that you may already own, and by simply using a chalked paint and then doing some distressing, give it a unique character that you can’t just go out and buy in the store.”

Good colours for fall projects include mustard and shades of navy.

“Introducing those onto a furniture piece, as opposed to a wall, is a little less permanent, but really creates a natural focal point within the space without overwhelming it with colour,” she says.

Hear how Allaire Perrault puts the fun into functional on the Urban Barn Main Stage on Friday, October 19, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, October 20, at 5 p.m.

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